'Houdini Horse' to appear at special-needs horseback riding group fundraiser

By the Midland Daily News

Published 4:30 am, Thursday, March 14, 2013

A fundraiser March 23 featuring a celebrity horse, mechanical bull riding contest and live country music will raise money to benefit a mid-Michigan program that provides therapeutic and recreational horseback riding for special-needs children and adults.

Saginaw Valley Equine Clinic will host its Spring Celebration from 1 to 5 p.m. March 23 at the clinic, 7319 Tittabawassee Road in Saginaw Township. All proceeds will benefit the Exceptional Horseback Riders of Saginaw County program.

“Here at SVEC, we help horses, but we also know how horses help people,” said Brad Cumper, SVEC owner and veterinarian. “Exceptional Horseback Riders is an excellent program, and we are proud to do our part to help.”

SVEC will serve pulled pork sandwiches and sides for $8 per adult dinner and $5 for ages 12 and younger. A silent auction, bake sale, 50/50 raffle, and mechanical Bucking Bull contest are also planned. Entertainment will be provided by local country singer Laurie Middlebrook of the Laurie Middlebrook Band.

Mid-Michigan residents will also have the opportunity to meet the now world-famous Mariska, also known as “Houdini Horse,” who hails from Midland and has become an Internet sensation after video of her escaping her stalls and even springing her friends has gone viral.Mariska has been featured on ABC and in The Huffington Post, USA Today and more.

Exceptional Horseback Riders of Saginaw County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing instruction for therapeutic and recreational horseback riding to maximize potential in children and adults with physical, emotional, mental and social challenges.

Tina Bennett of Freeland has been the instructor with the Exceptional Horseback Riders program for about 20 years.

She said the SVEC fundraiser comes at a crucial time for the group, which isn’t receiving the grants it depends upon in this struggling economy.

Families of participants with special needs pay a fee to participate in the program.

This SVEC fundraising event will help offset the costs of purchasing and boarding of the specially selected and trained horses, and to purchase special equipment for riders to make this a safe, fun experience.

“This event is a huge help in bringing awareness of our program and raising funds, and we’re always grateful,” Bennett said.